DETROIT - Robbie Payne’s goal at 3:38 of overtime gave the Northern Michigan Wildcats a 2-1 win over the Michigan State hockey team in the third-place game of the Great Lakes Invitational on Wednesday at Joe Louis Arena. Joe Cox scored for the Spartans, while Jake Hildebrand made 18 saves.
The Wildcats tied the game with 4:15 to play in the third period and then won it in the extra session when Payne’s shot from the slot sailed past Hildebrand.
“It’s a tough way to start the second half of the season,” said MSU head coach Tom Anastos.